How to Say "Clock" in Russian

часы

chasy

The Russian word for clock is часы (chasy).

Часы is used to refer to any instrument used to measure or keep track of time, such as a wall clock, a desk clock or a wristwatch.

Meaning: instrument to measure or keep track of time (noun)

Which one should you use?

Unlike English, which distinguishes between a 'clock' (for walls or desks) and a 'watch' (worn on the wrist), the Russian word часы covers both.

chasy

English speakers often mistakenly try to use a singular form like час to mean a single clock, but час actually means 'an hour'.

In Russian, the word for 'hour' and 'clock' shares a root with the Mongolian word цаг (cag). This reflects an ancient linguistic connection between the two language groups.
The word часы is a 'plurale tantum', meaning it exists only in the plural form. Even if you are talking about a single small wristwatch, you must use the plural form of the word.
The Russian word час can also mean 'moment' or 'time' in a more poetic or metaphorical sense. For example, it can describe the 'hour' of a person's destiny.

Я купил ей часы.
I bought her a clock.
This sentence shows the use of часы as a direct object.
Tatoeba #1977937 by Balamax, translation #1454222 by raghebaraby
Ей я купил часы.
For her, I bought a clock.
This sentence shows the use of часы with a shifted focus on the recipient.
Tatoeba #4383780 by marafon, translation #6828169 by Eccles17
Я купил ему часы.
I bought him a clock.
This sentence shows the use of часы when the recipient is a male.
Tatoeba #3661819 by Selena777, translation #3661850 by MTC
Ваше выступление заканчивается через пятнадцать минут, гляньте на часы.
Your presentation ends in fifteen minutes, please check the clock.
Необходимо соблюдать точность – посмотрите на часы.
It is necessary to maintain accuracy – please look at the clock.
156 more sentences on Tatoeba

Sergei and Olga are in the living room.

Сергей Sergey

Ольга, где висят наши часы?
Olga, gde visyat nashi chasy?
Olga, where is our clock hanging?
Ольга Olga

Они висят на стене в коридоре.
Oni visyat na stene v koridore.
They are hanging on the wall in the hallway.
Сергей Sergey

Кажется, эти часы немного спешат.
Kazhetsya, eti chasy nemnogo speshat.
It seems this clock is a bit fast.
Ольга Olga

Да, нужно перевести их назад.
Da, nuzhno perevest' ikh nazad.
Yes, we need to set them back.

Sources

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